I write this from a two-story, classic Charleston single home, which entails a side garden, double-decker porches, and shutters with the fancy black S-curled hinges. Built in the late 1800s, it has been renovated to consist of modern appliances while still maintaining the character of an old and lovely Charleston original home–wooden beams, creaky doors, and interestingly sized nooks… you get it. Yet, in my Cannonborough-Elliotborough up-and-coming neighborhood, the residents and visitors here are far from grey. Why did I move here along with many other curious-minded, young and old alike, drawn individuals? There is no better time than the fall to both reflect and get excited for the season to commence.
I hopped on the phone with Deborah C. Fisher, Broker-in-Charge of luxury real-estate firm Handsome Properties, who gave me a more professional insight into the new wave of relocators and the events residents can look forward to:
“Charleston is a historical gem consisting of living history in our magnificent buildings from the 16th to the 21st century. From summer soirees to oyster roasts in the fall, Charlestonian’s social calendars are filled year round. This year we (Handsome Properties) are delighted to be sponsoring the Lowcountry Land Trust Sporting Clays Shoot and the Fall Garden Tours for Historic Charleston Foundation. These and many more organizations such as the Preservation Society help our local community thrive for generations to come.”
Charleston is a sensory city.
I see the streets scattered with colorful houses. I see the blue ocean, I see the lush green marsh. I see the trendy college students, and the suit-clad businessmen, and the bikers.
I feel the ocean’s waves hit me in the surf on a sunny beach day on Sullivan’s Island, or Folly Beach, or Island of Palms… when your Saturday consists of choosing which beach to go explore, there is no wrong decision. I do best outside, on a porch, a patio, or a rotting dock, and Charleston caters to that–while still allowing me to have the cool conveniences of being a “young” person in a growing city.
I taste the flavorful food scene, whether raw oysters, Carolina BBQ, fresh sushi, or seared snapper. As a current 24-year-old hospitality publicist, work runs into play, and, boy, do I have notes. My neighborhood itself could not lend more to the diverse culinary scene: Chubby Fish for the feelin’ fancy, high heel night out, or Cutty’s down the block for the grungy, laid-back dive scene. Vern’s (two blocks down from me) is produced by a local couple ready to show why you come to Charleston to feel at home while favoring your taste buds.
167 Raw (also of 167 Raw Sushi and the recently-opened 167 Bar), is where it’s at in terms of high-end, yet low-key, delightful Lowcountry cuisine with a New England touch—put your name down and then bounce around the neighboring bars while you wait for your table (“no reservations, no problem” in Charleston–there is always something to distract for the impatient here).
At Hall’s Chophouse, prepare to be greeted at the door by a member of the Hall family themselves, smiling as they usher you in for a time of classy celebration—whether that be a bachelorette party, family get-together, or just a good ol’ time, you will find it here, with the white tablecloths, piano player, and catering service.
I hear the party-prowlers late at night dancing down King Street. When I choose to be one of them, I usually pick the lively Uptown Social or a local cozy bar like the Elliotborough, Mini Bar (open mic night on Wednesdays, FYI). There’s also the honey-suckle canopying, margarita-providing patio at Maya. My favorite way to end a night out is by hailing a pedicab ride home, through the oak trees and past the gently lit homes, towards my own shutter-clad abode… see you in the Holy City?
